51 



some remarks made that the scarcity of paper accounted 

 for the horses missing the course, we are asked to state 

 that such was not the case as the scent was laid plentifully 

 and with extra care. 



Twelve minutes' grace having been granted, Mr. 

 Thomas despatched them precisely at 7-27 to a perfect 

 start. Shamrock gave the gallery a treat in jumping the 

 first two mud walls in the grand style followed by Toby 

 and Sterling. A big 'Mep " by Pygmalion very nearly 

 put Mr. Douglas out of the chase, but he found his way 

 back into the pigskin in time to negotiate the second one. 

 Crossing the Gurriah Hat Road the leaders were unchancr- 

 •ed, Shamrock and Toby alternately leading at a strong 

 pace, with Sterling and Tortoise close behind. After 

 passing through the village lane to the left, the leaders lost 

 the paper and galloped on, picking it up further on in 

 the wrong place, and raced home under a wrong impres- 

 sion. Shamrock was the first to come in sight, followed 

 by Tortoise and Toby who passed him in turn before 

 getting to the last hurdle. Tortoise was under the whip 

 most of the way back and came in first past the post by a 

 head in front of Toby, who was half a length in front of 

 Shamrock. Then came poor Sterling who jumped the 

 last hurdle on three legs having slipped his stifle joint 

 shortly before. Pygmalion brought up the rear of the 

 first division. 



After a considerable interval Cocktail appeared 

 followed by Commissioner and Beeswing. It appears 

 that Cocktail also missed a portion of the course, and if 

 'this turns out to be the case, Commissioner will, in all 

 probability, get the Cup. The matter is, however, not 

 quite settled. The last of the field came in after Beeswing 

 in the following order : — Blackstone, Footlights, Black 

 Prince and Grane. We much regret to add that poor 

 Sterling fell down and died while being led away, and 

 Mr. Gregory has our sincere sympathy. 



This brings the season to an end, and the gentle 

 Ballygunge peasant will have peace for the next nine 

 months to come. No riderless horses or mud bespattered 

 sportsmen to disturb him in his rural pursuits, and make 

 him wonder at the eccentricities of the sahib log. We 

 might add, no more hiicksheesh for spoiling his already 

 over-plucked pea fields, but we will leave" that to next 

 year. 



